<p>Hello everybody! I visited Dartmouth this weekend and really liked the very friendly nature of the people. I also sat down in three classes and was very impressed at the caliber of the teachers as well as the students.I tried to be as thorough as possible and visited everything from the new Life Sciences building to the HOP to all the clubs in the DOC building. I tried talking to as many students as possible and was even able to speak with the Assisstant Director of the Government, something that I doubt would be easy to do so easily (she was eating luch and had to interview many current students for a program) in other colleges as a "prospie". I also hung out at night with a friend of mine who's a student so I got a sense of what the night life is like (i.e. Frats). I loved the friendliness of everybody and the accessibility of the professors, but I didn't get a good sense of what my "scene" would be like. Whever I go I would love to get involved with some sort of debate team or political club (not necessarily your standard Dems or Reps), and want a student body where intellectual conversations wouldn't be hard to come by. I wouldn't want to spend 24 hours a day discussing the mysteries of life, but I want to be aussred that the frat scene does not overwhelm the more intellectual aspects of the college (I'm not calling frat boys stupid, on the contrary, I'm sure many are brilliant, it's just that I would rather sit and discuss foreign films or Kant than binge drink). How active is the Dartmouth Union and the debate teams? Are there other venues for discussion? Also, are concerts and other social alternatives common? I know not all frats are for hard party people (frats such as the one for Playstation and Dungeons & Dragons people) how common are these?</p>
<p>Again, I really love the resources Dartmouth showers on its undergrads and the academic quality, and I know that not EVERYBODY is in frats or that frat people are stupid and incapable of having intellectual conversations. It’s just that some of the people I talked to felt that the intellectual life left much to be desired. It’s not just intellectual life. I’d like to think there are alternatives such as salsa nights, kareoke nights and movie nights (I know the HOP does this), or that sororities and fraternities also offer options like these.</p>
<p>“Intellectual atmosphere,” leaves alot open to interpretation but it seems like this is your #1 wish in a school. You may have to form your own club if you can find a handful of people who actively seek out intellectual conversations. Back in my day(grabs pipe and sits in rocking chair) the best “intellectual conversions,” I was involved in were impromtu, sometimes looking for them or planning them ring shallow. I’m not exactly sure what it is that you’re looking for but perhaps if you could list alternative institutions that you’re looking at or were accepted to then you might spark up an intellectual debate right here on this thread.</p>
<p>Alright, I get it, I came off as a snob. I will gladly delete this thread if somebody could tell me how.</p>
<p>Dartmouth has one of the nation’s best debate teams. Members typically have debate experience for four years in HS and have won awards at state and national levels. It is not geared for novices.</p>
<p>No! Don’t delete it! I want to hear about this topic too.</p>
<p>Thanks muckdogs07.</p>
<p>The policy debate team ([Dartmouth</a> Forensic Union - Welcome](<a href=“http://debate.dartmouth.edu/]Dartmouth”>http://debate.dartmouth.edu/)) is not the equivalent of general intellectual discourse/conversation. It is a very focused activity that revolves around the issue selected for a given year’s competitions. Not putting it down. A bunch of great people with a great coach. Just saying I’m not sure it’s what PMCM18 was looking for. </p>
<p>There is also Dartmouth parli debate which might be closer: [Dartmouth</a> Parliamentary Debate](<a href=“http://dartmouthparlidebate.blogspot.com/]Dartmouth”>http://dartmouthparlidebate.blogspot.com/)</p>
<p>Parliamentary seems more like what I’m looking for. I specifically did Model UN in high school and my friend told me that they’re starting a team this year, but unfortunately I couldn’t find anybody that knew more about that.</p>
<p>Check out the Rockefeller Center’s website : [The</a> Nelson A. Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College](<a href=“http://rockefeller.dartmouth.edu/]The”>http://rockefeller.dartmouth.edu/)
There are discussions groups that meet regularly and they often host guest speakers.
Lots of great opportunities for students too!</p>
<p>My son is not a member of a Frat, with the academic workload and quarter system, he says he has no time. He attends sporting events and the numerous speakers and arts event. There is so much to see and do at Dartmouth. He says his classmates are extraordinary and many are simply brilliant. I would not worry about lacking intellectual stimulation at a school where probably 60% were the top 1 or 2 persons in their high school. He is the happiest college kid I know. He is on an internship now on Capitol Hill, but cannot wait to get back to Hanover. He said there are 4 Dartmouth students interning in DC this quarter. If you attend, be prepared to be amazed and enjoy the ride.</p>